Finland Should Stay Calm Amid Trump NATO Rhetoric, Says President-Elect – Reuters

HELSINKI (Reuters) – Finland’s president-elect, Alexander Stubb, emphasized the importance of remaining calm and staying focused on NATO membership in light of recent critical comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the military alliance.

Trump, who is leading the race for the Republican nomination in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, suggested last week that he would hesitate to protect NATO members from a potential Russian attack if those countries were not meeting their financial obligations to the alliance.

During a press conference, Stubb remarked, “U.S. election campaigns are very different from Finnish elections, and the rhetoric used is quite a lot stronger. At this stage, it is best to remain calm and concentrate on reinforcing our NATO membership.”

Finland joined NATO in April last year in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and according to Stubb, the country invests more in defense than the NATO guideline of 2% of gross domestic product.

Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas echoed the sentiment, stating that Trump’s remarks should serve as a reminder for allied nations to increase their defense spending.

Stubb expressed his desire for Finland to play an influential role within NATO’s decision-making processes, stating, “We want to be at the core of decision-making, sitting at the tables where these decisions are made.”

Finland’s decision to join NATO marked a significant shift in its security policy after decades of military non-alignment, as the nation sought enhanced protection against potential Russian threats.

Taking office on March 1, Stubb is known for his pro-European stance and strong support for Ukraine, contributing to a tough approach towards Russia, which shares a lengthy border with Finland. He noted, “Before Russia concludes its war of aggression against Ukraine, it will be very challenging to establish a relationship with Russia,” underscoring his intention to prioritize Finland’s security interests.

Stubb, a former prime minister and investment banker, narrowly won the presidential election against his liberal opponent Pekka Haavisto from the Green Party, securing 51.6% of nearly three million votes cast.

Support from the public is evident, as expressed by Satu Lappalainen, a 39-year-old consultant from Helsinki, who said, “I’m really happy that Alexander Stubb won, and I wish that he will represent Finland in a good way, evolving our relationships with other countries, Europe, the U.S., and NATO.”